BBX11: A gene that facilitates in the greening of plants
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Sci & tech
In news
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) have identified a gene that facilitates in the greening of plants.
This gene plays a crucial role in regulating the levels of protochlorophyllide which is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of the green pigment chlorophyll.
Key takeaways
IISER scientists have identified the gene ‘BBX11′.
The study was recently published in the British journal New Phytologist.
The synthesis of chlorophyll in plants is a lengthy, multi-step process.
When a seedling emerges from under the soil it must quickly synthesise chlorophyll to start supporting its own growth.
In order to facilitate quick synthesis of chlorophyll, plants make a precursor of chlorophyll called ‘protochlorophyllide’ in the dark, which glows red when blue light is shone on the plant.
As soon as the plant comes out into the light from under the soil, light-dependent enzymes convert protochlorophyllide to chlorophyll.
The amount of protochlorophyllide synthesised needs to be proportional to the number of enzymes available to convert them to chlorophyll.
If there is excess of free protochlorophyllide, then exposure to light converts it into molecules that cause ‘photobleaching’.
